“How did it happen?” Pete asked.
“Lee and I were a little drunk and a bit stoned.”
“Stoned?” Pete laughed. “Now I’ve heard it all, Ma.”
Jen looked at her beautiful son. She had to throw him into adulthood whether he wanted to grow up or not. She took a long sip of her wine and savoured the taste before she spoke.
“My lawyer, Leonard Mazwai, would like to meet you tomorrow after Lee’s memorial service. It’s important. It’s about our future and the future of the farm. Will you go?”
Pete nodded.
Thirty-four
Jen had to sneak in through a side door of the Town Hall to avoid the book club girls who were waiting for Frankie at the entrance. The hall had been decorated with photographs of Lee from childhood. The most recent picture of him, Jen realised, had been taken at John’s party, which was the last time she had seen him.
She noticed Ron Opilet, sitting a few rows ahead of her. Surely he wasn’t there as Lee’s lawyer? Could it be that they had some other connection? Jen wouldn’t be surprised if he was one of Lee’s illicit business associates. He had a shady look that made her think he probably had a finger in many pies.
The service had been scheduled for eleven. At half past, Jen heard a commotion behind her at the entrance to the hall and, along with the rest of the congregation, she turned around to see the book club girls, led by Shelley, greet Frankie and Clive at the door with teary hugs and kisses. The congregation stood as Frankie swept to the front row, while the farm workers led the mourners, accompanied by the organist, in singing ‘Amazing Grace’.
Jen had wondered how she would feel seeing Frankie. She couldn’t help thinking she played a fine grieving widow. My ex-best friend is an expert at role-play. Frankie had played Lee’s besotted girlfriend and his vixen wife to the envy of everyone. When Clive was born, she took on the role of milf. So much so that Clive appeared to be little more than a wonderful accessory. The role of Jen’s best friend had been her best performance to date.
Frankie, appearing distraught but strong, was carefully and alluringly dressed. Patty caught Jen’s eye from across the aisle. It was as if she had read Jen’s thoughts, and they smiled knowingly at each other.
The minister took to the podium once Frankie, Clive and the group of women were seated. He welcomed the mourners and thanked them for joining Lee’s family in “bidding farewell to Lee Holms: respected husband, father, son and friend”.
Jen noticed that she wasn’t the only one to shift uncomfortably as he went on to remind them of life’s only certainty: death.
“You cannot live your life here on earth by your rules. God has given you a set of rules to live by. Remember the Ten Commandments?
“Are you living as God would have you live in this life? The party, dear friends, is not here on earth, it is in heaven.”
That was pretty sobering, Jen thought. Patty looked at her and pulled a face as if to say, I guess I’m not going to any party in heaven!
Jen smiled and shrugged, trying to convey a silent It seems we’re all doomed.
“Let us pray for the soul of the deceased, Lee Holms, and for the souls of everyone gathered here today.”
The congregation rose and sang the hymn ‘Be Still and Know That I Am God’.
John then got up to speak. “Pastor Donald would be remiss if he didn’t remind us of our own deaths. This is, after all, part of his job, which he has carried out very well. Thank you, Pastor Donald. I speak for myself when I say that I am truly rattled.”
There were a few chuckles from the congregation.
“We’re here to celebrate the life of Lee, as well as mourn his death. I think we can safely say that we are all sinners. I am counting on God being a loving God and a forgiving God. If, as Pastor Donald says, there’s a party in heaven, God would have no guests if he didn’t make a few concessions; and I’m sure that Lee will be one God would invite to the celebration. What kind of a party would it be without him?”
Everyone laughed. Even Jen caught herself smiling. This is why I fell for him. He has a sense of humour and he can get away with being cheeky.
“I have known Lee ever since we were old enough to be aware of one another’s existence. We grew up as brothers; Lee had no siblings and I only had sisters. Our mothers were friends and from an early age we would play while they met for tea. We went to school together and that’s where we met the rest of the gang: Frans, Larry, Matthew, Jesse, Dwain and Luke. As a group, we were formidable. Since pre-primary school, we have done just about everything together. The group can attest to Lee’s and my competitive streak. We competed for everything. Instead of pushing us apart, it brought us together.
“We have so many fond memories of Lee that we will treasure. He was too young to be taken away from us, and so tragically. He has left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. A kinder, more compassionate and generous man, you’d struggle to find. You will be forever missed, bud. Cheers, and keep a place up there for all of us.”
If I didn’t know what John has been up to, I would be moved. Jen was starting to believe that she was married to a sociopath. How else does he manage to stand up there without flinching?
She felt deeply sorry for Clive when it was his turn to speak. From what she could see, he’d managed to hold himself together until that moment. She could tell from his shaking shoulders that he was sobbing. The mourners waited for him to compose himself before he spoke.
“My dad is my hero. He has been my mentor ever since I can remember. He was there when I took my first steps and he was there to help me ride my bike. He was a father who instilled so many values in me. He taught me kindness. He said it was easy to humiliate those who were supposedly socially inferior, but all this showed, he said, was ill breeding. My dad said there was plenty to be learned from every human being, no matter their status, sex, religion or age.”
He took a deep, juddering breath.
“He practised what he preached. He acknowledged the people who showed commitment to their work. Boss Sarel Jenkins is a fine example of a man who started as a labourer, but who worked himself up to farm manager.” The congregation turned to search out Boss Sarel, who looked down at his hands. “He has often said that he was lucky to have worked for my father, as he doubted whether he would’ve been given the same opportunities elsewhere.” The labourers and Sarel nodded in agreement.
“My dad saw the diamond in my mom. He saw her beauty and he saw her strength and he defied everyone and married her.” It was at this point that Jen heard the devastating gasp and cries from Frankie. Her friends placed loving arms around her, and Jen herself wished that she could do the same. If only. But she checked herself. “He was always in awe of her,” Clive continued with a gentle smile. “My dad loved life. I am happy that he has left this world having done just about everything he dreamed of doing, from running one of the top wine farms in our area, to travelling extensively, to buying his dream car. He loved fast cars and to own a Ferrari was his ultimate dream.”